BREAKING THE PERFORMANCE PARADOX: HOW WORK MOTIVATION BRIDGES EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ORGANIZATIONAL COMMITMENT DURING ORGANIZATIONAL TRANSITION

Abstract

Inconsistency in employee performance and high turnover rates at the managerial level pose critical challenges in the seafood processing industry during structural shifts. This study aims to penetrate the performance paradox by analyzing the effects of emotional intelligence and organizational commitment on employee performance, positioning work motivation as a mediating variable amidst organizational transition. A quantitative approach utilizing a survey method was deployed at PT Kelola Mina Laut (KML), involving 130 respondents across staff and managerial levels. Data analysis was executed using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS software. The hypothesis testing results indicate that all proposed hypotheses are significant ($p < 0.05$). Both emotional intelligence and organizational commitment demonstrate positive and significant effects on employee performance. The pivotal finding highlights that work motivation serves as a significant mediator (a psychological bridge) that transforms emotional capacity and loyalty into tangible performance outcomes while mitigating the destructive impacts of management disruption. The practical implication underscores the urgency for management to design structured motivational interventions to sustain performance stability during organizational transitions.